Air-blowing doll having air duct combined with connecting means

ABSTRACT

AN AIR-BLOWING DOLL INCLUDING A FLEXIBLE TORSO AND A HEAD INTERCONNECTED PHYSICALLY BY AN AIR DUCT WHICH ALSO FORMS AN AIRTIGHT CONNECTION BETWEEN THE DOLL&#39;&#39;S TORSO AND A MONTH OPENING IN THE DOLL&#39;&#39;S HEAD. VARIOUS ATTACHMENTS MAY BE INSERTED INTO THE DOLL&#39;&#39;S MOUTH AND MAY BE ACTUATED BY SQUEEZING THE DOLL&#39;&#39;S TORSO. AMONG THESE ARE A HORN AND A BALLOON-BLOWING ATTACHMENT HAVING CHECK VALVES FOR PERMITTING AIR FLOW INTO THE BALLOON BUT NOT OUT OF THE   BALLOON, AND ALSO PERMITTING AIR FLOW FROM THE ATMOSPHERE INTO THE DOLL BUT NOT BACK AGAIN. FINALLY, A BUBBLE-BLOWING ATTACHMENT MAY BE USED COMPRISED OF AN OUTWARDLY FLARED TUBE AND A SOAP-FILM SUPPORTING RING SPACED FROM THE TUBE TO EQUALIZE THE AIR FLOW.

Feb. 23, 1971 CRQSMAN ET AL 3,564,762

AIR-BLOWING DOLL HAVING AIR DUCT COMBINED WITH CONNECTING MEANS Filed Sept. 16, 1968 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Feb. 23; 1971 D CROSMAN ETAL 3,564,762

AIR-BLOWINd DOLL HAVING AIR DUCT COMBINED 1 WITH CONNECTING MEANS Filed Sept. 16. 1968 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Team; 1? fr! Ir W Mrnw/w'r United States Fatent O1 Rice 3,564,762 AIR-BLOWING DOLL HAVING AIR DUCT COM- BINED WITH CONNECTING MEANS Dorland L. Crosman, Palos Verdes Estates, Rollin C.

Johnson, Hermosa Beach, and Thomas E. See, Huntington Beach, Calif., assignors to Mattel, Inc., Hawthorne, Calif., a corporation of Delaware Filed Sept. 16, 1968, Ser. No. 759,965 Int. Cl. A63h /00 US. Cl. 46-117 2 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE An air-blowing doll including a flexible torso and a head interconnected physically by an air duct which also forms an airtight connection between the dolls torso and a mouth opening in the dolls head. Various attachments may be inserted into the dolls mouth and may be actuated by squeezing the dolls torso. Among these are a horn and a balloon-blowing attachment having check valves for permitting air flow into the balloon but not out of the balloon, and also permitting air flow from the atmosphere into the doll but not back again. Finally, a bubble-blowing attachment may be used comprised of an outwardly flared tube and a soap-film supporting ring spaced from the tube to equalize the air flow.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates generally to dolls, and particularly relates to a doll arranged to expel air by squeezing it, and to various attachments which may be inserted into the dolls mouth.

The blowing of bubbles from a saponaceous solution is a well-known amusement, particularly adapted as a pastime of children. Accordingly, it has been suggested to provide dolls which are capable of blowing bubbles. To this end the doll generally consists of a body of a flexible material so that air may issue from the dolls mouth when the torso is squeezed.

It has also been proposed to provide a bubble-blowing attachment for such a doll. In general a bubble-blowing pipe is actuated by the mouth of the user. In that case the air flow can be controlled to a great nicety, and after a short practice small or large bubbles may readily be blown. However, the air flow which originates from squeezing a dolls torso cannot be regulated with much precision. It has therefore been found that the conventional bubbleblowing attachments for dolls will not always produce the desired bubbles. Sometimes the air flow is too concentrated and simply blows a hole into the soap film.

It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide an air-blowing doll with a bubble-blowing attachment which is so arranged that it produces equal air flow across a soap-film supporting ring regardless of the amount of squeezing force applied to the doll.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an air-blowing doll which is simple and cheap to manufacture and where the head may be attached to the torso of the doll by an air duct conveying the air from the torso to the dolls mouth.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an air-blowing doll of the type discussed which is adapted for use with various other attachments, such, for example, as a balloon-blowing attachment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An air-blowing doll in accordance with the present invention comprises a hollow torso having a neck opening. The torso may be made from conventional flexible shape- 3,564,762 Patented Feb. 23, 1971 retaining material which may be the same as that of a squeeze bottle. There is further provided a hollow head which has a neck opening matching that of the torso and also has a mouth opening. An air duct is provided which forms a substantially airtight connection between the dolls torso and the mouth opening of the head. At the same time the air duct mechanically interconnects the torso to the head.

The air duct includes a hollow mouth portion which is disposed in the mouth opening of the head but spaced from the outer end thereof so that various attachments may be inserted into the mouth opening to communicate with the air duct. Furthermore, the air duct has a hollow main portion which is preferably integral with the mouth portion. This main portion extends through the neck opening in the torso and forms a substantially airtight seal with the torso. The main portion has means such as an annular outer groove for surrounding the neck opening of the head and hence connecting the head to the torso.

Various attachments may be inserted into the dolls mouth and may be supplied with air by compressing and subsequently releasing the torso. Among these attachments are a bubble-blowing attachment consisting of an outwardly flared tube and a soap-film supporting ring spaced from the tube. This construction of the bubbleblowing attachment assures a smooth air flow having substantially equal pressure across the soap-film supporting ring so that a bubble is formed rather than that the soapfilm is pierced.

The novel features that are considered characteristic of this invention are set forth with particularity in the ap pended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its organization and method of operation, as well as additional objects and advantages thereof, will best be understood from the following description when read in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side elevational view, partly in section, of a doll including a torso and a head and a bubble-blowing attachment inserted into the dolls mouth;

FIG. 2 is an end elevational view of the bubble-blowing attachment showing particularly the soap-film supporting ring and its struts:

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of a horn-blowing attachment which may be used with the doll of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an end elevational view of the horn-blowing attachment;

FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of a balloonblownig attachment, and illustrating particularly the check valves thereof;

FIG. 6 is a sectional end view taken on line 66 of FIG. 5 and showing essentially and end view of the balloon-blowing attachment with the balloon check valve; and

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 77 of FIG. 5 and illustrating the valve seat of the balloon check valve and its keyway.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is illustrated and air-blowing doll embodying the present invention. The doll shown in the drawings generally includes a torso 10 and a head 11 which may be separate pieces. The torso 10 is made from a flexible material which assumes its original shape after squeezing. This may, for example, consist of a suitable plastic, such as a type of polyvinyl plastic. The torso 10 may be provided with outwardly projecting plugs 12 for attachment thereto of an arm, such as shown at '14, capable of rotating about its plug. It may also have outwardly pon'ecting plugs for attaching thereto and articulating a leg, as shown at 16. Furthermore, the torso 10 is provided with a neck opening 17 which matches a corresponding neck opening 18 in the dolls head. The head is further provided with a mouth Opening 20 extending in a downward direction so that an attachment, such as the bubble-blowing attachment 21, will extend downwardly of the dolls head.

By alternately squeezing and releasing the torso 10 air may be expelled from the torso through the torsos neck opening 17 into the head 11. Preferably to this end the torso 10 is substantially air-tight.

For the purpose of interconnecting the torso 10 directly to the mouth opening 20 there is provided an air duct, generally shown at 25. This air duct may also be made of a suitable polyvinyl plastic. In any case, the air duct includes a hollow downwardly extending portion 26 extending partially into the mouth opening 20. The hollow main portion 27 of the air duct 25 forms an acute angle with the mouth portion 26 and is adapted to extend into the torso 10. The main portion 27 includes a conical end 28 which supports the torso neck opening 17 and forms a substantially airtight seal therewith. Furthermore, the air duct main portion 27 is provided with an annular outer groove 30 for receiving the head 11 about the neck opening 18. Accordingly it will be seen that the air duct 25 physically rotata-bly interconnects the head 11 to the torso 10 independently of its sealing connection to each. In addition, it provides a substantially airtight connection between the torso and the mouth opening 20 in the head 11.

As a result, squeezing of the doll into the position shown in dotted lines at 10' will expel the air from the torso into the mouth opening 20. On the other hand, when the torso is released it will return to its original position and hence force air to flow back into the torso.

The air duct 25 permits head 11 to rotate and allows mechanical and pneumatic connections to be easily effected in one operation. Additionally, air duct 25 increases the pumping efiiciency of torso 10 by placing the torso plenum in direct fluid communication with mouth opening 20, thereby isolating the head void from the pneumatic system.

What has been described so far is an air-blowing doll having a mouth opening through which air may be expelled. Various attachments may now be inserted into the dolls mouth opening 20. Among these are the bubbleblower 21 of FIG. 1, a horn with reed as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, and a balloon-blower illustrated in FIGS. 5 through 7. Alternatively a tickler or blowout device may be provided, which unrolls upon air being blown into the device and which rolls up again into a tight roll upon release of the air pressure.

Turning now to a description of the bubble-blower 21 of FIGS. 1 and 2, it will be noted that the bubble-blower includes an outwardly flared hollow tube 32 having a mouth end 33 which may be inserted into the dolls mouth as shown in FIG. 1 and has interference fit therewith. A bubble-blowing ring 34 is supported by a plurality of struts 35 spaced from the large end 36 of the flared tube 32. The bubble-blowing attachment 21 may for eX- ample, be made of polypropylene.

The device operates by dipping the ring 34 into a saponaceous solution such as soapy water or the like. This will form a film in the air space formed by ring 34. When the dolls torso 10 is compressed as shown by the arrows 37, air is expelled through the mouth opening 20 into the flared tube 32. Due to the outwardly flared construction a pressure wave is created which has substantially uniform pressure when it arrives at the ring 34. As a result the soap film is formed into a bubble which floats away. Launching of the bubble from the ring is facilitated by the fact that the ring is isolated from the horn by the struts. This provides vents or side openings that tend to defeat the tendency of the torso to inhale the bubble when the pressure (squeezing) on the torso is relaxed. It should be noted that the ring 34 prevents the soapy film from flowing or creeping away into the tube 32 by virtue of its low surface tension.

The particular construction of the bubble -blowing attachment 21 removes the element of human talent from the bubble-blowing operation. Therefore, where a limited air supply is available and where the air pressure is essentially uncontrollable as in the squeeze doll of the invention, relative size and geometry are essential to obtain a well-formed bubble every time the device is used.

Turning now to FIGS. 3 and 4, there is shown a hornblowing attachment 40 which includes an outwardly flared tube 41 having elongated abutments '42 and protuberances 43 for retaining a conventional tweeter 44 in position in tube 41. When horn-blowing attachment 40 is inserted into the mouth opening 20, the horn may be blown by squeezing the dolls torso 10.

It is also feasible to provide a balloon-blowing attachment including check valves for controlling the air flow. This has been illustrated in FIGS. 5 through 7, to which reference is now made. The balloon-blowing attachment is generally indicated at 45. It includes a hollow tube or housing 46 having an opening 47 therein for permitting air to flow into the doll. The tube 46 has a small or mouth end 48 which may be inserted into the dolls mouth opening 20. The other or far end 50 of the tube 46 is provided with a thick outer rim and a rearwardly projecting shoulder 51. A balloon 52 may have its opening pulled over the outer end 50 and may be held against the shoulder 51 by the thickened integral ring 53 characteristic of commercially available balloons.

The tube 46 is provided with a substantially cylindrical chamber 54 near the far end 50 for receiving a check valve body or cage, generally indicated at 55. The check valve body consists of a flexible material and may be made of a suitable polyvinyl chloride. It provides a valve chamber 56 in which is caged a ball 57 which is adapted to press into valve seat 60 to provide a seal. In the opposite end of the check valve body there is formed a plurality of projections 61 which will retain the check valve' ball 57 but permit air to pass.

The check valve body 55 is provided with a rearwardly extending flexible flap 62 which normally overlies and seals the opening 47 in the housing 46. However, the flap 62 is adapted to move inwardly, as shown at 62' in dotted lines, so as to permit ambient air to flow into the dolls body.

The check valve body 55 may be provided with a keyway 64, while a key 65 extends from the check valve housing 46. This permits the check valve body to be inserted into the housing 46 only in such a way that the valve flap 62 covers the opening 47.

The balloon attachment operates as follows: A balloon 52, which may be made, for example, from latex rubber, is pulled over the outer end 50 of the housing 46 and is retained thereon by the integral shoulder 53.

Now the narrow end 48 of the attachment 45 is inserted into the dolls mouth opening 20. When the torso 10 is compressed, air is forced through the dolls mouth 20 into the tube 46, as shown by the arrows 66. This will move the check valve ball 57 into the position shown in solid lines in FIG. 5 and permit air to be blown into the balloon 52. When the torso is released again, a reduced pressure is now formed in the entire air system, including the torso 10, air duct 25 and housing 46. This will now force the check valve ball 57 to move into the dotted position 57 and provide a seal with its valve seat 60. Accordingly, no air can escape from the balloon.

On the other hand, the reduced pressure now existing in the housing 46 will force air through the opening 47 past the valve flap 62 so that the valve flap moves into the dotted position 62 and air flows in the direction shown by dotted arrows 67.

It will be understood that all that is required is two separate check valve means, one permitting air to be blown into the balloon but not to leave the balloon; the other permitting ambient air to enter the system when the air pressure is less than outside, without permitting the air in the system to reach the outside when its inside air pressure exceeds atmospheric. Accordingly, it will be appreciated that either two ball valves may be used or, alternatively, two flexible flaps, such as shown at 62.

There has thus been disclosed an air-blowing doll having an air duct which serves the double purpose of connecting the dolls head to its torso and providing an airtight flow connection between the torso and the dolls mouth, such as a horn, a balloon-blowing attachment and a bubble-blowing attachment. The bubble-blower is so arranged that it will assure the formation of bubbles every time the dolls torso is compressed without requiring special skill. This is achieved by the particular geometry and relative size of the bubble-blower and its component parts.

What is claimed is:

1. An air blowing figure toy comprising:

a hollow torso of a flexible shape-retaining material and having a neck opening at the upper end thereof;

a hollow head having a mouth opening and a neck opening therein; and

a unitary duct body defining an air duct extending through said neck openings and being connected to said mouth opening, said duct body including means for separately connecting thereto and sealingly engaging the peripheries of both of said neck openings said connecting means including means for completing connection of said duct body to said head neck opening independently of connection of said duct body with said torso neck opening, said duct body being rotatable in at least the neck opening of said torso whereby said duct body serves as a holding means and pivotal connection between said head and torso.

2. An air blowing figure toy as defined in claim 1, wherein said duct body includes a portion of substantially circular section extending through said neck openings, said last named means comprising a pair of circumferential, axially spaced grooves, the edge of each of said neck openings extending into a corresponding one of said grooves.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,230,114 1/1941 Katz 46-141 2,668,393 2/1954 Rekette 46-117 2,678,516 5/1954 Graham 46117 2,689,430 9/1954 Freeland 461 17 FOREIGN PATENTS 575,384 4/1924 France 4687 E. BARRY SHAY, Primary Examiner US Cl. X.R. 

